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Amazing what a contract year can do

depaashaas wrote:Amazing what a contract year can do

So Are you saying that the Future will look something like this? Lol.

LOL maybe

It's easy to be cynical about this, but I'm hoping he finally "got it" and can perform at a much higher level.
I understand it's only 15 lbs, but it maybe he lost 25 lbs of fat and gained 10 lbs of muscle thus making such a visible difference on a real big guy.

even the dreads looked like they trimmed down

If nothing else, it should provide improved play this coming season for Seattle. They aren't picking up his fifth year option, and if he plays well, odds are he is gone anyway ( someone else will pay him more than Seattle is willing to) perhaps he maintains it, who knows? I'm interested in this upcoming season only at this point, and the dedication to get in shape is a positive sign, whether it be someone figuring it out, or it is just money, is irrelevant to this season.

I'm not trying to put the whammy on him ... but, I've got this nagging hunch he won't be playing in the first game.

Absolutely nothing solid to base this on.

I just think of the old funny paper character Joe Btsfsplk (cartoonist Al Capp, who created the character featered in Lil Abner comic strips, said of his name "how else would you pronounce it)
who walked around with a dark cloud perpetually over his head.

Dog has pontificated for years that not coming into camp in shape when he was the Hawks first pick in the draft made Carpenter a wasted choice ... and he's proved it to this point.

There seems to be optimism right now, but ..... "if I were a carpenter, ..... I better build a career, quickly".

zoom

Is that Jersey the same size?

Good for the Seahawks; good for Carpenter. He is still a mammoth, but hopefully more agile. We'll worry about him leaving next off season.

savvyman wrote:

LOL! You got that right!

I got to give this guy a chance. I've been so down on him ever since we drafted him that it's hard to be objective. A tiny part of me is wanting to scream out "I told you so!" to all those folks that harpooned me over my observations. Water under the bridge. I have to take a new look at this guy, as if he's some unknown, undrafted rookie just trying to make the team. After all, he looks like a different player.

So what's that guy's name?

NorthHawk wrote:It's easy to be cynical about this, but I'm hoping he finally "got it" and can perform at a much higher level.
I understand it's only 15 lbs, but it maybe he lost 25 lbs of fat and gained 10 lbs of muscle thus making such a visible difference on a real big guy.

Was that 15 lbs. from the end of the season or the beginning of training camp last year, because there is no way he is only 15 lbs lighter looking at those pics. I am guessing it realistically is 25-30 lbs. I agree with RD, he looks like a whole new player. I really hope he takes that LG position and doesn't look back.

I hate dreadlocks, I don't see what people see in them. Soccer players are the worst for wearing them. They are hot, smelly and unattractive. Do you really think Obama would have become the 44th President wearing dreadlocks?? I know its a FREE Country!!

Said it before and I'll say it again, while Carpenter has in fact been largely disappointing overall thus far, he hasn't been disappointing specifically in his run blocking. In fact, I would say that of all our linemen, he's hands down the most talented run blocker on the team. When his head is really in the game, and he puts that run blocking talent to good use, there's not a player on the team I'd rather see Lynch run behind.

Still, it's always in the contract year that we see players suddenly, "get it" and come to camp in shape etc... and that ought to rightfully, make us all very wary of this new and improved Carpenter, and even more wary of the possibility of the Seahawks resigning him if he has a good season this year.

Personally, while I am looking for Carpenter to be a MUCH improved player, (still standing by my prediction of Sweezy breaking out big time as well!), I am not at all sure that this is a real attitude adjustment that will stick beyond this (contract) season...guess we'll see.

monkey wrote:Said it before and I'll say it again, while Carpenter has in fact been largely disappointing overall thus far, he hasn't been disappointing specifically in his run blocking. In fact, I would say that of all our linemen, he's hands down the most talented run blocker on the team. When his head is really in the game, and he puts that run blocking talent to good use, there's not a player on the team I'd rather see Lynch run behind.

Still, it's always in the contract year that we see players suddenly, "get it" and come to camp in shape etc... and that ought to rightfully, make us all very wary of this new and improved Carpenter, and even more wary of the possibility of the Seahawks resigning him if he has a good season this year.

Personally, while I am looking for Carpenter to be a MUCH improved player, (still standing by my prediction of Sweezy breaking out big time as well!), I am not at all sure that this is a real attitude adjustment that will stick beyond this (contract) season...guess we'll see.

In a particular type of run blocking, ie the point of attack, blow a DL off the LOS blocking, yes, he's been very good. But the Carpenter of old is too much of a slug to block a linebacker, cannot get onto the second level and cut off pursuit. That's why McQuistan beat him out last season and what's encouraging about his losing weight this season, ie perhaps he's gained some quickness and can now make those blocks.

Are we sure Carp. isn't wearing that tummy-tuck under shirt that they advertise on late night T.V. LOL??? OK, I am sure he is not, but the fact that he waited until his contract year to get in better shape plus the fact they didn't pick up the 4th. year option just speaks volumes about his commitment to his career.

I still can't forget Russell telling Carp. to "hold" his water when he was going to do a hard count to draw the Bronco defense off sides. He also asked J.C. if he had a bladder problem LOL.

Ironically, I thought at the time, that I didn't remember Carp. getting flagged for illegal procedure a whole lot of times. It makes me wonder if the officials were flagging the wrong player but Wilson would know exactly whom it was that was responsible it those situations. It might even be more of a reason than poor pass blocking that he hasn't been able to put a lock on the RG position than we realize. Offensive penalties can just kill promising drives, turning 3rd. short to 3rd. and long not to mention having the perfect play called against a particular defensive scheme that then has to be changed because the defense has been tipped off.

Just like I am not going to miss Giacomini getting flagged for a penalty negating either a big gain and/or 1st. down. Some of those calls either happened away from the play and were completely unnecessary or he would get called for a Personal Foul completely killing the drive. I liked his "nastiness" but only to a point.

Anyway, back to James Carpenter, I am hoping that he has turned the corner and that he is going to take his career more seriously and really improve to the point that our F/O will more than happily give him a big pay day.

Fifth year option ( he is in his fourth) and against Niners in NFCCG. Like I said, even if it is all about it being a contract year, him being in shape, won't hurt the Seahawks in the least this season. There hasn't been a successful Lineman from that draft, and few have started the amount Carpenter has ( which is saying something considering the injuries he has had, and the quality of that draft in that regard).Someone will probably pay him more than he is worth next season, and I doubt it will be the Hawks, so what ever.

I wonder if/when they will stop taking Cable's input on selecting Offensive Linemen.

Isn't Cable the Offensive HC and/or assistant HC?
IF so, it would be pretty difficult to take away his input during the draft.
Britt, so far looks like he might be a keeper. I hope he becomes a solid starter at worst.

Regarding Carpenter, to be fair he said he hasn't been able to run pain free very much since his knee injury until this last year and off season.
That doesn't explain his rookie year, but it might explain his change for this year.
The end of the contract certainly can be more motivation, but it might not be the biggest factor.

The way I see it, he was overwhelmed by what is required at the NFL level in his rookie year, got injured and wasn't fully recovered until late last year.
Maybe it's just that simple.

I was happy to see Seattle signed another RT today, I like Bowie and Britt, but having a veteran guy there ( even if just for depth and being a sounding board) can't hurt. Not entirely sold on a large chunk of that o-line, but see serious talent across the board. Carpenter isn't great in pass protection ( and neither is Sweezy) but if the offense isn't pass heavy, I'm just not sold on finding and drafting players that are better at Pass Protect over run blocking. Say what you will about that line in pass protect, but run blocking they excel. Including Carpenter and Sweezy. Of course you want better or at least consistent improvement in other areas of their game, that said, and no matter what anyone tells me, it is more difficult to protect mobile QB's, and with a slew of young players, I expect growing pains....

Winston learned the ZBS scheme under Gibbs and had some of his best years playing it.
He has a good attitude and can help the younger guys learn how to play it and what it takes to excel in the ZBS even if it means he ends up being depth.

I'm glad they recognize they need to upgrade the OL.

kalibane wrote:I wonder if/when they will stop taking Cable's input on selecting Offensive Linemen.

That's a subject that deserves its own thread.

Someone mentioned, perhaps North Hawk, that Cable has shown that he can coach up players in the run game but that his teams are typically poor at pass protection. And as Kal pointed out, you have to question the guy's judgment on his talent evaluation skills. For example, he once thought that James Carpenter had what it takes to be a decent NFL offensive tackle.

"Someone mentioned, perhaps North Hawk, that Cable has shown that he can coach up players in the run game but that his teams are typically poor at pass protection."

It wasn't me, but I wonder about his evaluation of players and if it's really a good idea to have OL that are versatile over those who specialize at their position.
It seems to me that the best OLs I've seen have been those with players at set positions.
Perhaps it was a necessity the last few years because of the injuries and what I consider overall lack of talent (others may differ, but McQuistan a starter?) and they have done well with what they had.
I hope to see a much improved OL and Carpenter in particular take the next step this year.
As we are going against 3 of the toughest DLs in our own Division for 6 games not to mention an improved Denver and always tough Carolina DL, they have to be on top of their game if we hope to get into the playoffs this year.

I brought up the Cable thing on the old PI site, he has always been a strong run blocking/ mediocre to poor pass blocking coach throughout his career, that said, he has swung and missed quite often on offensive tackles, eventually converting them to guards ( some have gone on to become truly exceptional guards to be fair). Seems to me from the outside that he puts a LOT of stock in the temperament , and toughness and because of that, sometimes the "skill" portion of those guys is made secondary ( like footwork, hand placement, speed, get off etc). Not bashing the dude, as personally I feel like his theory on it coincides with the philosophy Carroll preaches, but it sure would be nice to have a better pass blocking line.

Not entirely sure that the players some here want gain what they want, but "complete" lineman aren't all that common, so I'll defer to Carroll and co.

We'll see how he does this year.

Either way, I think Pete keeps bringin' in the OL prospects until he gets it right. It's a tiresome subject. Maybe 2014 will be the start of something better up front.

Carpenter didn't play in the Mock game because of a strained calf.
I hope this isn't a glimpse into the future.

NorthHawk wrote:Carpenter didn't play in the Mock game because of a strained calf.
I hope this isn't a glimpse into the future.

Injuries at this point in the season are as dubious as they are the week prior to the Pro Bowl. We'll see who answers the bell on Sept. 4th.